Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Christopher Irwin appointed as Chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for Western England

date 2 November 2000   source Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions   type Press release

Keith Hill has today announced the appointment of Christopher Irwin as Chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for Western England.

The appointment will run from 1 November 2000 until 31 October 2004 and attracts a salary of £10,004.31 per annum.

Christopher Irwin lives near Devizes and is a regular rail user. He has been a member of the Rail Passengers Committee for Western England since 1989 and has been its Acting Chairman since August this year. Christopher Irwin is also the Managing Director of Guinness World Records Ltd and was previously Chief Executive of BBC World Service Television.

RPC Chairmen are also ex-officio members of the Rail Passengers Council, the national passengers' watchdog.

Notes for editors

1. The Rail Passengers Council (formerly known as the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee) and the eight regional Rail Passengers Committees (formerly known as Rail Users' Consultative Committees) were set up under the Railways Act 1993. Under provisions in the Transport Bill, sponsorship of the RP Council and the RPCs will transfer to the Strategic Rail Authority in due course.

2. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions appoints the Chairmen of the RPCs.

3. RPCs operate as watchdogs for users of Britain's rail service. Rail users who do not receive a satisfactory response to their complaint from a train operator can contact the appropriate RPC which may be able to take up the matter on their behalf.

4. In the case of closures of services or stations, the RPCs have the power to hold public hearings; they can report on possible hardships and propose amendments to alleviate them.

5. The RPCs can also consider any matter which is referred to them by the Secretary of State and the Rail Regulator, as well as any matter they feel they should look into.

6. The address of the RPC Western England is:

Rail Passengers Committee Western England
Tower House
Fairfax Street
BRISTOL
BS1 3BN

Tel: 01179 265703
Fax: 01179 294140


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Railnews Archive ::: 2000-11-02 DET-001

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